A SHARED ACHIEVEMENT

Iron boss Russ Wilcox believes all plaudits should be directed toward his side after United’s 1-0 victory over Torquay United at Plainmoor.

By securing a fifth consecutive shut-out in Devon, United made it 450+ minutes without conceding, and Wilcox told The Iron Player: “That’s very pleasing, and it’s all going back to team selection.

“It was in my thoughts I could have brought Christian [Ribeiro] in and moved Eddie [Nolan] across to left-back while moving Marcus [Williams] up one, but the four clean sheets on the spin came with the same back four we’ve put out today.

“I built the team from the back. I didn’t want to tinker too much with the back four, and the five clean sheets on the bounce have shown that. It’s amazing.”

In avoiding defeat for the 25th match in succession, Wilcox also matched a seemingly global record for the longest unbeaten run by a manager from the beginning of their reign – equalling the run set by André Villas-Boas at Porto.

Despite the personal acclaim, the 50-year-old once again deflected praise elsewhere, and added: “It’s down to the group. It has to be.”

“It’s an achievement for Scunthorpe United. That’s the way you have to look at it. I’m just the man at the top if you like.

“I obviously have to give guidance, but I’ve got a great set of players and people to work with which certainly helps.”

See much more from Russ Wilcox, Sam Slocombe and Sam Winnall on The Iron Player.